The VW sign of Germany's car company Volkswagen is displayed at the building of a company's retailer in Berlin. (AP photo)FRANKFURT: Volkswagen has stopped the sale within the European Union of new cars that contain software the can cheat diesel emissions tests, a spokesman for Europe's biggest carmaker said on Wednesday.

The move affects a limited number of diesel cars with Euro 5 engines (EA 189) held at dealerships that will now be upgraded and then put up for sale, he added.

Volkswagen said last week it would recall 8.5 million vehicles in the European Union which could contain banned software that allows them to know when they are being tested and temporarily reduce toxic emissions.